Peter Jackson: Back in 'The Hobbit'

"Quit smiling, you bastard. Now I have to direct this damn thing."Good news for dorks everywhere, and bad news for Brett Ratner fans. Peter Jackson is on board to direct The Hobbit, according to Deadline. Warner Bros., New Line and MGM are currently in negotiations to bring the famed LOTR director back to Middle Earth.Jackson will take over for Guillermo del Toro, who dropped from the film earlier this year. Although it may prove problematic and costly for Jackson to step away from his current projects, a compromise seems to be eminent.The prequel to the LOTR trilogy will be split into two films, and will be shot back-to-back in Jackson's native New Zealand.

"Quit smiling, you bastard. Now I have to direct this damn thing."

Good news for dorks everywhere, and bad news for Brett Ratner fans. Peter Jackson is on board to direct The Hobbit, according to Deadline. Warner Bros., New Line and MGM are currently in negotiations to bring the famed LOTR director back to Middle Earth.